Now might you see the ladies fast by the haven stand. With his guests King Gunther debark'd upon the strand, In his hand soft leading the martial maiden fair. Then each on each flash'd radiance, rich robes and jewels rare. IX With that the smiling Kriemhild forth stepp'd a little space, And Brunhild and her meiny greeted with gentle grace. Each with snowy fingers back her headband drew, And either kiss'd the other lovingly and true. X Then spoke in courteous manner Kriemhild the fair and free, "In this our land, dear Brunhild, ever welcome be To me and to my mother and all by us allow'd For faithful friends and liegemen," Then each to th' other bow'd. XI Next to greet Dame Brunhild approach'd Dame Uta too; Oft she and oft her daughter their arms around her threw, And on her sweet mouth lavish'd many a loving kiss. Never was known a welcome so kind and frank as this. XII Soon as Brunhild's women were all come to the strand, Many a courtly warrior took by her lily hand A lady fair, and gently her mincing steps upstay'd. Now before Dame Brunhild stood many a noble maid. XIII 'Twas long before the greeting had gone through all the list. On either part in plenty rosy mouths were kiss'd. Still the two fair princesses were standing side by side, A pair with love and rapture by longing warriors ey'd. XIV What erst had been but rumor, was now made clear to sight, That naught had yet been witness'd so beautiful and bright As those two lovely damsels; 'twas plain to every eye; None the slightest blemish in either form could spy. XV Whoever look'd on women with but the sight for guide, Such for her faultless beauty prais'd Gunther's stately bride; But those, whose thoughts went deeper, and div'd into the mind, Maintained that gentle Kriemhild left Brunhild far behind. XVI Now met the dames and damsels in friendly converse free; Fair robes and fairer beauties were there in store to see; Many a silk pavilion and many a gorgous tent The plain before the city fill'd in its whole extent. XVII King Gunther's kinsmen ceas'd not to press to that fair show. And now was begg'd each princess from the sun to go Close by, with their attendants, where shade was overhead. By bold Burgundian warriors thither were they led. XVIII Then clomb to horse the heroes, and scour'd the sounding field; Many a joust was practised with order'd spear and shield; Right well were prov'd the champions, and o'er the trampled plain, As though the land were burning, the dust curl'd up amain. XIX So all before the ladies display'd their skill and force. Nor doubt I that Sir Siegfried rode many a knightly course Before the rich pavilions, and, ever as he sped, His thousand Nibelungers, a stately squadron, led. XX